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ROMANS - The Lord is our Righteousness
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
The Opening: Salutation, Thanks to God, and Emphasis on “God’s Righteousness” As the Motto of his Epistle (Romans 1:1-17)

b) Paul’s Longstanding Desire to Visit Rome (Romans 1:8-15)


ROMANS 1:13-15
13 Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.

In this epistle, Paul opens his heart to the people of the church of Rome. He tells them how often he had purposed and planned to visit them, but that God had interrupted all his plans. The great apostle had to learn early that the thoughts of God are different from his, and the ways of God are as far above his as the heavens are higher than the earth. The Spirit of Christ prevented him from executing his plans, even if they seemed to him useful, good, and holy. Furthermore, when the opportunity to travel appeared to him favorable, God also prevented him.

However, Paul put in his heart that he must preach to the world. He wished, through his life, to set up the kingdom of God in Rome and in other nations. He did not think of edifying individuals, but instead aimed to edify nations, for he was certain of the blessing of Christ, which worked in him. He had seen his glorious Lord, and was sure that the entire world is owned by the King of kings, and that his victory was assured.

The Apostle of the Nations saw himself as a debtor to all men, not because he took money from them, but because God had committed his authority and power to him. He was therefore under obligation to commit such power and authority to all the elect in Christ. In truth, we all live today from God’s gifts to Paul, who by his epistles makes us partners in his power. Under this meaning, we became debtors to you, as you are debtors to all the people around you, for the spirit who works in us is not ours, but is prepared to dwell in the hearts of many.

Paul worked among the classes of educated Greeks, and the Lord established his service through Paul’s weakness. He founded churches in the parts of the Mediterranean, which wash the Grecian isles. Then at the time of writing this epistle, he intended to work among the Barbarians in France, Spain, and Germany. He was eager to proclaim to everyone the good tidings that God had a Son who redeemed us on the cross. In his intense and ardent devotion, the Apostle of the Nations was like a rocket prepared to be launched. He received that he might communicate. Out of his love for the Barbarians, he wished to gain the attention of the Romans that they might accompany him and take part with him in preaching to the nations. Thus, he wanted to preach to the believers in Rome that they, in turn, might become preachers; for attainment of salvation creates in him who is saved an obligation to take the message of salvation to others. Paul put Rome before his eyes as a center and starting point for preaching to the whole world.

However, God answered the prayer of his apostle in another way. He did not send his ambassador directly to Rome, rather he returned him first to Jerusalem to be arrested and imprisoned. After long and painful years, Paul arrived at the capital bound, imprisoned, and a bondservant of Christ. Yet, the power of God was not extinguished in him. He, even in his chains, preached to the whole world through his epistle to Rome, which still preaches to peoples and nations even today.

Now we, who are grandchildren of those Barbarians whom Paul intended to preach to, joyfully spread the gospel of God as it had already been committed to Paul to do at that time. Maybe it did not cross Paul’s mind that his epistle to Rome is the accomplishment of his wish to preach to the nations. No other book, beside the gospel of John, has changed the world like this epistle, which was written with many prayers and groanings of the Spirit.

PRAYER: O Lord, You are the King, and you guide your servants according to your will. Forgive us if we intended anything, which is not in conformity with your will. Subject us completely to your guidance that we may not run outside the plan of your love, but obey the orders of your Spirit, and accomplish your wishes gladly, even if they were against our imaginations. O Lord, your way is holy, and we surrender to your providence. Thank you because you do not allow us to fall from your mercy.

QUESTION:

  1. How, and how often, did God prevent Paul from executing his plans?

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